The Departed (2006)
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Two of the opposite sides of the law attempt to infiltrate each other's organizations in a high-stakes game of deception.
The story
In 1980s Boston, Irish mob boss Frank Costello plants Colin Sullivan as a spy within the Massachusetts State Police. Simultaneously, the police assign undercover state trooper Billy Costigan to infiltrate Costello's mob crew. As both men navigate their respective roles as moles, they are forced into a tense game of cat and mouse. They must operate in the shadows, attempting to identify the opposing mole while maintaining their cover. The tension escalates as the lines between their identities blur, and the consequences of being discovered by the other side become increasingly deadly for both the undercover officer and the mob's infiltrator.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1980s Boston, Frank Costello's mole, Colin Sullivan, infiltrates the Massachusetts State Police, while Billy Costigan is sent undercover into Costello's gang. Costigan's mental state deteriorates as he becomes involved in the gang's violent activities. Sullivan begins dating a police psychiatrist, Madolyn Madden, who becomes Costigan's therapist. Both sides eventually realize they have been compromised and begin searching for the other's mole. Costigan discovers Costello is a protected FBI informant. Sullivan and Costigan begin an affair. During a tense exchange, Sullivan realizes he is being followed and strikes a passerby. Later, Costigan is nearly caught but is helped by his superiors. Following a series of escalating tensions, a shootout occurs that kills most of Costello's crew. Sullivan kills Costello after he admits to being an informant. Costigan eventually deduces Sullivan's identity and flees. In the final confrontation on a rooftop, Costigan is shot and killed by a second mole, while Sullivan is framed for the crime. Sullivan is later confronted by a detective who shoots him.
- First release year
- 2006
- Runtime (minutes)
- 151
- Production countries
- United States; Hong Kong
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Martin Scorsese
- Writers
- William Monahan · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Leonardo DiCaprio · Billy Costigan; Matt Damon · Colin Sullivan; Jack Nicholson · Frank Costello; Mark Wahlberg; Martin Sheen; Ray Winstone; Vera Farmiga; Alec Baldwin
- Genres
- neo-noir; crime thriller
- Themes
- identity; Stockholm syndrome; Catholic guilt
- Tone and mood
- gritty; ultraviolent
- Premise and plot tags
- undercover; espionage; gangster; police corruption
- Source material / true-story basis
- Infernal Affairs (2002)
- Content notes
- profanity
- Reception
- A critical and commercial success, the film received acclaim for its direction, performances, screenplay and editing.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 8.40 · scale: 10 · review count: 285; Metacritic · score: 85 · scale: 100 · review count: 39
- Awards and nominations
- Best Picture · Academy Awards · 2007 · win; Best Director · Academy Awards · 2007 · win; Best Adapted Screenplay · Academy Awards · 2007 · win; Best Editing · Academy Awards · 2007 · win; Best Director · Golden Globe Awards · 2007 · win; Best Ensemble, Motion Picture · Satellite Awards · 2006 · win; Motion Picture, Best Motion Picture, Drama · Satellite Awards · 2006 · win; Best Screenplay – Adapted · Satellite Awards · 2006 · win; Best Actor in a Supporting Role · Satellite Awards · 2006 · win
- Production trivia
- The film is based on real-life figures including the Winter Hill Gang and Whitey Bulger.; The film features an 'X' motif to foreshadow death.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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